Tire chain cross-link and anchor assembly



y 5, 1953 A. H. PERLMAN 2,637,363

TIRE CHAIN CROSS LINK AND ANCHOR ASSEMBLY Filed June 27, 1951 2SHEETS-SHEET l Z 15 25 3 j 4 W 9 1 flig 4 INVENTOR.

fl /fred H Per/man flag 6- ATTO NEy May 5, 1953 A. H. PERLMAN TIRE CHAINCROSS LINK AND ANCHOR ASSEMBLY Filed June 27, 1951 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2Patented May 5, 1953 IT STATES at ENT OFFICE.

TIEE QHAINCROSS-LENK ANCHOR- ASSEMBLY of Illinoisv Application June 2?,1951, Serial No. 233,854

(Cl. LZ-213') 5 Giaims. 1

This invention relates generally'to a tire chain cross-link assembly andrelates particularly to an assembly whereby the cross-links may readilybe removed or applied according to driving conditions.

This application is a: continuation-in-part of my pending applicationSerial No. 141,474, filed January 31', 1950*, now abandoned.

One-of the principal objects of theinvention is to provide a novelcross-linl assembly for an automobile tire, the assemblybeingcharacterized by a pair of anchor members held at each side of thetire between the bead thereof and the support rim, each of said anchormembers being provided with a hook for holding a chain hangerwhich-carries: the cross-links spanning the tread of the tire.

A further object is toxaiiord a construction for across-link assembly soarranged that the crosslinks may readily be removed, and so arrangedthat the cross-links may be adjusted with respect to their anchors oneach side of the tire, according to the size-thereof.

Still another object is to provide a construction fora tire chain andcross-link assembly wherein one of the cross-link anchors is'arranged toprovide a hook for holding. a chain hanger for the cross-link, said hookbeing of such a dimension as to prevent unintended movement of the chainhanger ofi thehcok, the other of the cross-link. anchors-alsoterminating in a hook for achain hanger connected to the opposite end ofthe cross-link, and having disposed therewith a positive lock or swivelholding the opposite, chain han er in position on the hook, and in sucha fashion that the assembly cannot be, disengaged without release ofthelock or swivel.

Other and important obiects of the invention will be apnar-ent from astudy of the specification following taken together with the drawingswhich together illustrate a number of: preferred embodiments of theinvention and what are now regarded to be the best modes of applying theprinciples thereof. Whilethe inventionis described interms ofembodiments-which it may assume in practice, its scope is not intendedto belimited by the precise embodiments shown nor otherwise than by theclaims subjoined.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a cross-secticn through a pneumatic tire showing thecross-link assembly according to one embodiment of the present inventionin front elevation;

Fig. 2 isa front elevation view of the-crosS-lihk assembly of Fig. 1,parts thereof being shown in section. to illustrate the manner in whichthe 2 cross-links may be secured to and removed from their anchors;

Fig. 3 is a section taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the cross-chain hanger shown in Figs. 1,2, and 3 Fig. 5 is across-section through a pneumatic tire showing across-link assembly according to another embodiment of the invention infront elevation;

Fig; 6 is a side elevation view thereof looking from the right to theleft as seenin Fig. 5;

Fig. 'l' is a side elevation view thereof looking from the left to theright as seen in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a view taken along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5 showing one of thecross-link hangers and anchor therefor in plan view.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the presentinvention is shown as applied to a tire is which is held by inflationthereof to a rim H of the drop-center type commonly used on the modernautomobile. The tire it, as is well known, is inflated by a tube, notshown, which exerts a large lateral and radial pressure to maintainbeads l2 firmly against the rim H and side flanges [3' thereof.

The bead l2 and the rim H and flange iii are adapted to hold a tirechain anchor device, indicated generally by the ordinal M, in positiontherebetween upon inflation of the tire ill. The tire chain anchordevice l i' includes a portion H, which is spaced from the side walls llof the tire IO, and which preferably diverges therefrom to provide forfree flexing ofthe tire. The end of the anchor device It remote from itspoint of anchor between the rim and flange l I, I3 and the bead i2 isprovided with a fiat hook I 3 to provide a place ofhooking engagementfora hanger l9, to which is connected a pair oi cross-links 2! whichsp-an'the'tread of the tire Iii.

It should be noted that the tire chain anchor devices are made ofhardenedand ten'lperedsteel' to withstand the centrifugal forces inducedby rotation of the tire iii upon its wheel.

The hangers it! are preferably T-shaped and include a tongue 22 andapair of arms Zthaving apertures 25 near the ends thereof to receive ahook E9 of the cross-link 2i. As" shown with particular reference toFigs; 2 and 4, the hanger i9 iscurved slightly intwo different planes tolend stifiness thereto, and to provide for a certain amount ofspring'action thereof. It may be'noted that after form ng the'hanger H3thuslmit issuitably heat treated to provide resilience and strengthagainst conditions-imposedbyservice:

The tongue 22 is provided with aplurality of T-shaped slots 21 soarranged that a stem 28 of the T-shaped slot 21 extends upward as seenparticularly in Figs. 1 and 2. The stem 28 thus defines a pair ofshoulders 29 which rest upon the fiat hook l3 when the assembly is inthe position as seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The stem 28 of the T-shapedslotalso defines an opening 32 for an elongated tool such as a screwdriver3| seen in Fig. 2. By inserting the tool 3| in the opening 32 and thenbringing the tool 3! over the edge of the fiat hook Hi, the hanger maybe hooked to the anchor l4. and brought to bear on the shoulders 29 onthe fiat hook l8 by rocking the tool 3! in a clockwise direction. ItWill be apparent that by reversing the operation just described, thehanger l9 may be disengaged from its hook I 8.

Obviously, it is necessary only to hook the hanger IS on the anchor M atone side of the tire, and-to use the method as described in the previousparagraph for connecting the opposite hanger to the opposite anchor. Byproviding a plurality of T-shaped slots 2'! in each hanger l9, anycombination of two slots, one in each han er l9, may be used to hook thecross-link 2| to the anchors M in accordance with the size of the tire.

Referring-now to Figs. to 8, there is shown another embodiment of thepresent invention. In this form of the invention, the bead l2, the rim Hand flange I3 are adapted to hold oppositely disposed tire chain anchordevices indicated respectively and generally by the reference numerals3t and 31'. The tire chain anchor device 33 includes a portion 38 lyingalong the inner periphery of the bead i2 and between the rim l and beadl2, a portion. 39 lying between the side of the bead l2 and the rimflange l3, and a portion 4| diverging slightly from the side wall of thetire Hi to provide for free flexing thereof. The portion 4| is bent backupon itself to provide a flat hook 42 for a cross-link chain hanger 43,to which is connected the cross-links 44.

The tire chain anchor device 31 likewise includes a portion 33 lyingbetween the rim I and the inner periphery of the bead l2, a portion 39lying between the side of the bead l2 and the rim flange i3, and aportion 45 diverging slightly from. the side wall of tire ill to permitfree flexing thereof. The portion 46 is bent back upon itself to providea-hook 47, of somewhat smaller length than the hook 42 for a purpose aswill appear, for holding a similar cross-link chain hanger 43, to whichis connected the other end of the cross-links 44.

Both of the anchors 36 and 3'! are made of suitable spring steel stockto withstand the strains imposed by the centrifugal forces induced byrotation of the tire It.

The cross-link chain hangers 43 are preferably T-shaped and include atongue 48 and a pair of arms 49 having apertures 5| near the endsthereof to receive a hook 52 of the crosslink 44. As shown withparticular reference to Fig. 8, the arms 49 are offset with respect tothe central tongue 48 to lend increased stillness thereto, and toprovide clearance for the hooks 52 so that they may be freely supportedwithout binding against the side walls of the tire Ill. The hangers 43are punched from fiat stock, and are likewise suitably heat treated toprovide strength against conditions imposed by service.

The central tongue 48 of the chain hanger 43 is provided with T-shapedslots 53, so disposed that a stem 54 thereof extends upward as seen inFigs. 6 and 7 to define shoulders 56 which rest 4 upon the fiat hooks 42or 41 when assembled as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and '7.

The embodiment of the invention thus far described with reference toFigs. 5 to 8 inclusive is assembled by first hooking one of the chainhangers 43 over the hook 42, and then bringing the cross-links 44 overthe tread of the tire Ill. The opposite chain hanger 43 may then behooked over the hook 41 by a tool such as the screwdriver 3| shown inFig. 2. By inserting the tool 3| in the T-shaped slot 53 and thenbringing the tool over the edge of the fiat hook 41, the hanger 43 maybe hooked to the anchor 31, and brought to bear on the shoulders 56 ofthe hanger 43 by rocking the tool in a clockwise direction. By reversingthe operation just described the hanger may be removed.

Means are provided for locking the hanger 43 in position on the hook 41.To this end a swivel lock 5'! is provided, which consists in part of astud 58 extending from the portion 45 and secured thereto in anyconvenient manner. A square-end swivel bar 59 turns on the stud 58 andis retained thereon by a peened over rivet head 6|. The swivel bar 59 isadapted to turn on the stud 58 to lock against the inside face of thehook 4? thus holding the chain hanger 43 in position. It may be notedagain that the tire chain anchor 31 is made of spring steel, so that byturningthe swivel bar 59 with a pair of pliersor the like against theresiliency of the hook 41 of the anchor M, the square end thereof willbear against the inside surface of the flat hook 41, and be lockedthereagainst.

The provision of the longer hook 42 and thelocking means with the hook4? insures that the cross-links 44 may be held securely without thepossibility of being forced off the hooks by theto the presentinvention, therefore, it is possible to provide a single assembly whichwill accommodate more than one size of tire within a specified range ofsizes, thereby making it unnecessary to provide a different assembl foreach size and make of tire.

While the invention has been described in terms of some preferredembodiments thereof, it

is not intended that the scope of the invention be limited by theprecise embodiments shown nor otherwise than by the spirit and scope ofthe claims here appended.

I claim:

1. For use in connection with a pneumatic tire held by inflation thereofto a straight side rim, said tire having beads continuous with sidewalls and a tread spanning said side walls: the improve ment of a tirechain cross-link and anchor assembly comprising a tire chain anchorlying on each side of said tire and conforming to the contours of saidrim the bead of said tire and adapted to be held by inflation of thetire between said rim and said head, comprising a metal strip having aportion bent to lie substantially along the inner periphery of the headof said tire and between said bead and said rim, a second portion bentat substantially right angles to the first named portion and continuoustherewith and following the contours of said rim and the side of thehead for at least a portion of the length thereof and terminating in aflat hook which is spaced from the side walls of said tire, and across-link hanger having a tongue in hooking engagement with each or"said tire chain anchors and having arms, carrying cross-links spanningthe tread of said tire, the tongue of said hanger being provided with aplurality of T-shaped slots for changing the position of hookingengagement of said cross-link hanger with said tire chain anchor inaccordance with the size of said tire, the opening defined by eachT-shaped slot providing for contact of said hanger tongue with said flathook along the oppositely extending shoulders of said T-shaped slot, andthe insertion of a tool adapted to rock on the free end of said hook tolift said cross-link hanger from engagement with said tire chain anchor.

2. For use in connection with a pneumatic tire held by inflation thereofto a straight side rim, said tire having beads continuous with sidewalls and a tread spanning said side walls: the improvement of a tirechain cross-link and anchor assembly comprising a tire chain anchorlying on each side of said tire and conforming to the contours of saidrim and the head of said tire and adapted to be held by inflation of thetire between said rim and said bead, comprising a metal strip having aportion bent to lie substantially along the inner periphery of the headof said tire and between said bead and said rim, a second portion bentat substantially right angles to the first named portion and continuoustherewith and following the contours of said rim and the side of thebead for at least a portion of the length thereof and terminating in aflat hook which is spaced from the side walls of said tire, and across-1ink hanger having a tongue in hooking engagement with each ofsaid tire chain anchors and having arms carrying cross-links spanningthe tread of said tire, the tongue of said hanger being provided with aplurality of T-shaped slots for changing the position of hookingengagement of said crosslink hanger with said tire chain anchor inaccordance with the size of said tire, the shoulders defined by saidT-shaped slots providing contact of said cross-link hanger with saidfiat hook, and the stem portion of said T-shaped slot providing anopening for a tool for disengagement of said cross-link hanger with saidtire chain anchor.

3. For use in connection with a pneumatic tire held by inflation thereofto a straight side rim, said tire having beads continuous with sideWalls and a tread spanning said side walls: the improvement of a tirechain cross-link and anchor'assembly comprising a tire chain anchorlying on each side of said tire and held by pressure of the bead of saidtire against said rim and terminating in a flat hook spaced from theside walls of said tire, and a cross-link hanger having a tongue inhooking engagement with each of said tire chain anchors and having armscarrying cross-links spanning the tread of said tire, the tongue of saidhanger being provided with a plurality of T- shaped slots for changingthe position of hooking engagement of said cross-link hanger with saidtire chain anchor in accordance with the size of said tire, theshoulders defined by said T-shaped slot providing contact of saidcross-link hanger with said flat hook, and the stem portion of saidT-shaped slot providing an opening for a tool adapted to rock on one ofsaid hooks and disengage said cross-link hanger from said tire chainanchor.

4. For use in connection with a pneumatic tire held by inflation thereofto a straight side rim, said tire having beads continuous with sidewalls and a tread spanning said side walls: the improvement of a tirechain cross-link and anchor assembly comprising a tire chain anchorlying on each side of said tire and conforming to the contours of saidrim and the bead of said tire and adapted to be held by inflation of thetire between said rim and said head, each of said anchors being formedof resilient metal and terminating in a hook which is spaced from theside walls of said tire, a cross-link hanger and cross link suspendedfrom said hooks and spanning the tread of said tire, and locking meansdisposed on one of said hooks for preventing the unintended removal ofsaid cross-link hangers from said hooks by snow or ice accumulating onsaid hooks comprising a lock having a substantially square-ended lockingarm adapted to swivel into contact with the inner side of said one hookagainst the resiliency thereof to hold one of said cross-link hangers inhooking engagement with said one hook.

5. For use in connection with a pneumatic tire held by inflation thereofto a straight side rim, said tire having beads continuous with sidewalls and a tread spanning said side walls: the improvement of a tirechain cross-link and anchor assembly comprising a tire chain anchorlying on each side of said tire and conforming to the contours of saidrim and the bead of said tire and adapted to be held by inflation of thetire between said rim and said bead, each of said anchors being formedof resilient metal and terminating in a hook which is spaced from theside walls of said tire, a cross-link hanger and cross link suspendedfrom said hooks and spanning the tread of said tire, one of said hookshaving a hooking arm of substantial length as compared to the hookingarm of the other of said hooks and over which one of said cross-linkhangers is placed for hooking engagement with said one hook, the otherof said hooks holding the other of said cross-link hangers in hookingengagement, and locking means disposed on the other of said hooks forpreventing the unintended removal of said crosslink hangers from saidhooks by snow or ice accumulating on said hooks, comprising a lockhaving a substantially square-ended locking arm adapted to swivel intocontact with the inner side of the said other hook against theresiliency thereof to maintain the other of said cross-link hangers inhooking engagement with said hook.

ALFRED H. PERLMAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,030,032 Strong June 18, 1912 1,194,433 Silberman Aug. 15,1916 2,069,979 Stahl Feb. 9, 1937 2,461,267 Givens Feb. 8, 19492,583,879 Pohl Jan. 29, 1952

